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The Millionaire Bachelor
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes her celebrated story about the healing power of love…
After spinning a tall tale about her life, answering service operator Cathy Eldridge can understand why millionaire recluse Stone Ward enjoys their nightly phone calls. She, too, treasures the moments when he bares his soul to her. They'’ve built an intimate friendship, though they'’ve never met in person. But then a twist of fate brings her face-to-face with her fantasy man…and into his home. Stone is many things, but mostly he'’s out of reach—rich, good-looking and mysteriously sexy. What on earth would he ever see in her? Cathy is determined to transform herself into the woman she pretended to be all along, but she isn’'t the only one with a past to overcome….
After spinning a tall tale about her life, answering service operator Cathy Eldridge can understand why millionaire recluse Stone Ward enjoys their nightly phone calls. She, too, treasures the moments when he bares his soul to her. They'’ve built an intimate friendship, though they'’ve never met in person. But then a twist of fate brings her face-to-face with her fantasy man…and into his home. Stone is many things, but mostly he'’s out of reach—rich, good-looking and mysteriously sexy. What on earth would he ever see in her? Cathy is determined to transform herself into the woman she pretended to be all along, but she isn’'t the only one with a past to overcome….
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1998
About the author
Susan Mallery
864 books15.7k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 19, 2012
The Hero: Reclusive millionaire who doesn't venture out of his house due to the scars he received in the car crash that killed his wife & refuses to get them repaired due to guilt. He has been talking to the heroine on the answering service for two years & when she is injured, takes her to his home to help since she reminds him of his late wife, comes from a less than stellar family, doesn't have much confidence and he wants to make up for his sins, so makes her his project.
His guilt is because his wife was his best friend & as a joke to rebel against his family he suggested they get married & then realized it was a mistake but his wife loved him, the marriage turned out to be a disaster since he couldn't make himself love her & desire her, so at a party drunk when a woman came on to him, he kissed her(having no intention to sleep with her), his wife caught him and she died the same night. So, now he keeps punishing himself since she was such a good person and he failed her.
The Heroine: Has body and esteem issues, grew up with an alcoholic mother so never really got close to others and after she died she never took chances. She loves talking to the hero & pretends to be more exciting, when he finds her she is embarrassed but they are friends and she lets him help her, soon she loses weight, takes a job with him and thinks that he loved his wife too much. She makes the move for a physical relationship knowing it won't be more, but when she finds out that she is only a way for him to feel better about himself, freaks, finds out she is pregnant and walks out.
The hero soon figures himself out.
Verdict: I didn't really mind the book that much or even like it. I just felt something was missing in the book, mainly because I don't like a third character overshadowing everything. For most of the book he felt so guilty and then when she goes away he finally manges to deal with things he hadn't for three years.
His guilt is because his wife was his best friend & as a joke to rebel against his family he suggested they get married & then realized it was a mistake but his wife loved him, the marriage turned out to be a disaster since he couldn't make himself love her & desire her, so at a party drunk when a woman came on to him, he kissed her(having no intention to sleep with her), his wife caught him and she died the same night. So, now he keeps punishing himself since she was such a good person and he failed her.
The Heroine: Has body and esteem issues, grew up with an alcoholic mother so never really got close to others and after she died she never took chances. She loves talking to the hero & pretends to be more exciting, when he finds her she is embarrassed but they are friends and she lets him help her, soon she loses weight, takes a job with him and thinks that he loved his wife too much. She makes the move for a physical relationship knowing it won't be more, but when she finds out that she is only a way for him to feel better about himself, freaks, finds out she is pregnant and walks out.
The hero soon figures himself out.
Verdict: I didn't really mind the book that much or even like it. I just felt something was missing in the book, mainly because I don't like a third character overshadowing everything. For most of the book he felt so guilty and then when she goes away he finally manges to deal with things he hadn't for three years.
April 6, 2026
2.5 stars
Modern day beauty and the beast, but it just tried too hard or maybe it never took off.
Modern day beauty and the beast, but it just tried too hard or maybe it never took off.
June 15, 2025
it’s giving beauty and the beast but in the worst way
April 15, 2026
A modern Cinderella story.
Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.
Listening length six hr 50 min
Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.
Listening length six hr 50 min
July 23, 2025
That time an updated cover tricked me into reading a re-release of a 1990s romance... 😬
The only good part of this book was the realization of how far female characters have come in 30 years.
#notfor2025 #notempowered #dietculturefordays #gross
The only good part of this book was the realization of how far female characters have come in 30 years.
#notfor2025 #notempowered #dietculturefordays #gross
June 28, 2025
Just a little niggle but shouldn't this book have been called The Millionaire Widower ? Anyhoo, really enjoyed it.
July 7, 2025
This one is set in the 90s (was actually written back then I believe) so some of the stuff mentioned is kind of dated, but it’s still a good listen (I listened on audiobook). It gives Beauty and the Beast vibes— he’s scarred from an accident, and has been a recluse in his house ever since; even thinks of himself as a monster since his wife died in the accident after a tragic incident at a party.
She is a phone operator and they had talked nearly everyday for 2 years— she fibbed a lot about herself, but mainly for entertainment purposes. She wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. The truth comes to light when her office catches on fire, and she’s rushed to the hospital. He comes to see her and discovers her as she really is— but he doesn’t mind— he valued her friendship more than her looks. Plus he hasn’t exactly been truthful either.
He houses her in her recovery, and she has always had a crush on him through their phone calls. He cares for her but he doesn’t love her— he can’t love her due to the guilt he feels because of his late wife. Things come to a head though when she realizes he will never love her, or himself, and decides to leave. He is forced to do some inner reflecting.
I felt the ending was a little rushed compared to the speed of the rest of the book, but I enjoyed it overall.
Thank you Harlequin Audio for the listen!
She is a phone operator and they had talked nearly everyday for 2 years— she fibbed a lot about herself, but mainly for entertainment purposes. She wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. The truth comes to light when her office catches on fire, and she’s rushed to the hospital. He comes to see her and discovers her as she really is— but he doesn’t mind— he valued her friendship more than her looks. Plus he hasn’t exactly been truthful either.
He houses her in her recovery, and she has always had a crush on him through their phone calls. He cares for her but he doesn’t love her— he can’t love her due to the guilt he feels because of his late wife. Things come to a head though when she realizes he will never love her, or himself, and decides to leave. He is forced to do some inner reflecting.
I felt the ending was a little rushed compared to the speed of the rest of the book, but I enjoyed it overall.
Thank you Harlequin Audio for the listen!
July 12, 2025
Cuando mi hermana compró el libro, creí que sería una novela cliché que una señora fácilmente podría leer en el metro. Por eso la llamé: novela barata de Metro, aunque no con mala intención.
Me dio curiosidad, quería saber que tan cliché llegaba a ser, y si en verdad valía la pena. Para mi sorpresa, me gustó, tanto así que terminé de leerla en tres días.
Sí, la historia llega a ser algo “exagerada”. Eso de que tu amigo por teléfono te diga que te vayas a vivir con él después tu accidente sin siquiera conocerlo, bueno 😬. Y aunque esa parte estuvo “justificada”, sí estuvo un poco de más.
A pesar de eso, disfrute leyendo la historia, me habría gustado un poco más en el desarrollo de los personajes, los sentí algo lejanos y planos, solo mostrándome lo que creía necesario, no haciéndelos humanos y reales. Tanto que no pude conectar con ellos.
El final sin duda no fue el mejor, habían peleando y se reencontraron 5 meses después, en donde, de un momento a otro ella le perdona todo. 0/5 ahí.
Me dio curiosidad, quería saber que tan cliché llegaba a ser, y si en verdad valía la pena. Para mi sorpresa, me gustó, tanto así que terminé de leerla en tres días.
Sí, la historia llega a ser algo “exagerada”. Eso de que tu amigo por teléfono te diga que te vayas a vivir con él después tu accidente sin siquiera conocerlo, bueno 😬. Y aunque esa parte estuvo “justificada”, sí estuvo un poco de más.
A pesar de eso, disfrute leyendo la historia, me habría gustado un poco más en el desarrollo de los personajes, los sentí algo lejanos y planos, solo mostrándome lo que creía necesario, no haciéndelos humanos y reales. Tanto que no pude conectar con ellos.
El final sin duda no fue el mejor, habían peleando y se reencontraron 5 meses después, en donde, de un momento a otro ella le perdona todo. 0/5 ahí.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2025
Stone lost his wife over three years ago. This left him with a scarred face. He very seldom leaves his home. So he is a bit lonely. He has actually started calling his answering service to talk to one lady, Cathy. When Cathy is caught up in a fire, this pulls Sloan out of his home to help Cathy. He brings her to live with him and this starts a friendship which just might lead to love.
This started pretty well. But then it sort of fell apart. I really got a bit bored with Cathy’s insecurities. And this story is all about looks…how he looks, how she looks. This drove me a bit insane. Plus, there are quite a few places that Stone is very condescending to Cathy.
So, needless to say, I was not a big fan of this book. I did finish it and I applaud Cathy with overcoming and becoming stronger and self confident.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
This started pretty well. But then it sort of fell apart. I really got a bit bored with Cathy’s insecurities. And this story is all about looks…how he looks, how she looks. This drove me a bit insane. Plus, there are quite a few places that Stone is very condescending to Cathy.
So, needless to say, I was not a big fan of this book. I did finish it and I applaud Cathy with overcoming and becoming stronger and self confident.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
April 26, 2026
LA California.
Cathy worked at an answering service, Stone called every night to get his messages. They began to talk and over 2 yrs built a relationship and never met. They are on the phone one night and they hear a boom then she sees smoke, Cathy is scared Stone is talking her through it. Then the line is cut off. Stone is freaking now, he goes to the building she works at and they tell him a woman was taken to the hospital so he goes to find her. She unconscious he waits N.Y. her side holding her hand. When she wakes up she learns he has scars on his face from an accident and won’t go out in public. She has no one to help her, he tells her she is coming to his house so she moves in with him. He takes care of everything. They build a face to face relationship, she ends up working for him the sleep together and then they get pregnant.
Cathy worked at an answering service, Stone called every night to get his messages. They began to talk and over 2 yrs built a relationship and never met. They are on the phone one night and they hear a boom then she sees smoke, Cathy is scared Stone is talking her through it. Then the line is cut off. Stone is freaking now, he goes to the building she works at and they tell him a woman was taken to the hospital so he goes to find her. She unconscious he waits N.Y. her side holding her hand. When she wakes up she learns he has scars on his face from an accident and won’t go out in public. She has no one to help her, he tells her she is coming to his house so she moves in with him. He takes care of everything. They build a face to face relationship, she ends up working for him the sleep together and then they get pregnant.
June 27, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Cathy and Stone in this story. Cathy had a hard past and had allowed herself to give up on her dreams and fall into a rut, just barely getting by. Stone had all the trappings of a perfect, wealthy lifestyle but was consumed with guilt over his deceased wife and no longer believed in love. But their instant attraction and friendship helped to heal them both. It was especially fun to jump back into the 90s, when this was originally written, to see them learning how they could use the computer and the internet. There were no cell phones to keep tabs on each other. And Stone used conference calls instead of web meetings.
April 2, 2026
This was the first audiobook I’ve gotten so that my affection my rating but I don’t think so. This was probably the stupidest book I’ve read in an a long time. What are the main characters thinking? They must be the most self-centered, naive people ever.
The only reason I listened to the whole book was because it was my first audiobook and I didn’t want to give up. But it should have been DNF.
The only reason I listened to the whole book was because it was my first audiobook and I didn’t want to give up. But it should have been DNF.
February 15, 2025
Me ha parecido una historia conmovedora en el cual empatice con los protagonistas Cathy, una chica solitaria con poco amor propio y con una vida difícil, conoce a Stone, un hombre atormentado por su pasado, y que se van enamorando poco a poco.
Es una historia fácil de leer, plana sin muchos nudos pero está bien para una tarde.
Es una historia fácil de leer, plana sin muchos nudos pero está bien para una tarde.
August 13, 2025
Book was recommended to me on Libby. The cover was different. The story definitely matches the cover on goodreads. Here’s the deal- it’s a Beauty and the Beast style of book… was it cute? Sure. Was it predictable in all the worst way? Yes. It may be someone’s type. But I wouldn’t rush to the shelves.
Read
May 6, 2026The updated/redesigned cover definitely got me to read the book after Libby suggested it. It was originally printed in 1998 and is written so. I was frustrated over how much it takes about her weight. Definitely a Beauty (that didn’t know she was a beauty until she lost weight) and The Beast story.
March 14, 2026
I have to admit that I didn’t finish this one. The audio version drove me crazy because the woman sounded like it was an AI generated voice. No expression, words produced weirdly, etc. I just couldn’t go on with after a few hours of listening. Maybe the ebook would have been a better option.
November 25, 2021
very boring and mediocre. you can crank out these types of books in a few days it feels like. and when was this book set that cathy describes the internet like that
November 21, 2024
Great book. It reminded me a bit of Beauty and the Beast, it had that tone. Loved it
June 11, 2025
This was an enjoyable audiobook to listen to. Very much the Beauty and the Beast vibe. The characters were interesting and the story moved along quickly. I liked the narrator. It would be an awesome book to listen to while at the beach!!
June 11, 2025
Another amazing book, about love and loss by Susan Mallery. Absolutely loved the whole story. Loved the FMC and the MMC that had his own battles to go through. Such a good listen.
October 17, 2025
This story was not written for my generation
October 24, 2025
44% DNF-soooo boring. Beauty and the beast trope.
November 17, 2025
Nancy
What a nice story about the real meaning of life and love. Life has lots of ups and downs but this Cinderella story was just a fun read about growing up and love! Thanks
What a nice story about the real meaning of life and love. Life has lots of ups and downs but this Cinderella story was just a fun read about growing up and love! Thanks
January 20, 2026
3.5. Cute.
February 2, 2026
I’m love happy endings. I think Cathy was too harsh. I also think Stone was so stubborn. I think we need to give more grace. It doesn’t always work out when we don’t. Great story.
March 27, 2026
I can’t think of anything nice to say about this book.
May 5, 2026
Audiobook. I don’t love books where women are chasing men and trying to convince them why they should be picked. Ewww
May 10, 2026
Light. No depth. Very dated.
May 18, 2026
3.5 got good at end
May 21, 2026
Who doesn’t enjoy a beauty and the beast story?
This is what Susan Mallery does best!
This is what Susan Mallery does best!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews